Picture-frame.



P. B. LITTLBHALE.

PICTURE FRAME. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1910 999,378, Patented Aug.1,1911.

WITNE88E8: *JW' INVENTOR COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (10., WASHINGTON, n. c.

RAUL BRADNEB LITTLEHALE, OF CRAWFORD, NEW JERSEY.

PICTURE-FRAME.

Application filed September 7, 1910.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL B. LITTLEI-IALE, of the town of Cranford,county of Union, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Pictitre-Frames, of which the following is aspecification. V

My invention relatesto picture frames and particularly to adjustable orknockdown frames adapted to be fitted to pictures of any size and thespecial object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive device ofthis character which may be used with neat and tasteful results forframing amateur photographs, postals, sketches, etc, which do notwarrant the cost of expensive framing. Although obviously the device maybe used for framing any desired object.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the framepartially broken away with the detachable corner pieces in position foradjustment; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of one of the corner pieces drawnto a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the frame with theparts assembled and united; Fig. a is a cross section on the line 44,Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the corner pieces drawn to thescale of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a broken side elevation of a modifiedconstruction.

My improved frame as illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises independent sidepieces A and corner pieces B, both of sheet metal from which they areadapted to be stamped and then bent to shape. The side members A arechanneled as shown in cross section Fig. 4c and the front face ispreferably beveled. The corners comprise a front face of substantiallythe same width as the side members and having the same bevel as thelatter; while the back face may be of any desired shape, preferablyslotted at E as shown. Engaging means of any desired character 6. 9.,lugs C, are carried by this back face and may be readily struck up fromthe body of the metal or projecting tongues angled over as best shown inFigs. 2 and 5. These tongues are preferably formed one on either side ofthe slot E, so that when the binding cord is applied the sides arepulled together and clamped more firmly against the sides by thefriction than would be the case were but a single lug employed.Furthermore the spring of the metal permits it to be Specification ofLetters Patent.

slightly deformed, and the resulting spring Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

Serial No. 580,892.

action serves to maintain the binding cord taut under varying weatherconditions.

The method of assembly is readily understood. The picture I (Fig. 4)being placed between the glass H and the back J, the four side pieces Aare adjusted over the edges thereof. The corners B are then fitted inposition, each corner embracing the adjacent ends of two side pieces. Awire or cord D passed around the lugs C on the corners and drawn tightserves to hold the parts firmly together. A second cord F may beattached to the cord D at the points indicated, to serve primarily as ahanging cord, but it has the secondary function of insuring thecontinued tautness of the binding string or wire D, since any slacktherein is at once taken up by the suspension cord F.

It will be observed that by beveling the front face of the side piecesA, not only do I secure an improved appearance since this bevel maycorrespond approximately to the bevel of molding ordinarily used (or beotherwise shaped to conform thereto), but being sprung out slightly toadmit the pic ture with its glass and backing to the channel of the sidemember, it serves to clamp them together and thus holds the picture fiatbeneath the glass.

The slotting of the corner pieces permits the latter to be drawn up snugwith the side members A, thus to make a neat and finished appearance.

Obviously the frame members may be made from any material and ornamentedin any desired fashion as by gilding, staining, etc, and I do not limitmyself to the use of sheet metal or the preferred forms illustrated.Again it is obvious that in some cases the side frame members may beentirely omitted, and only the corner members B employed.

Various modifications of my invention will also readily suggestthemselves. Thus in Fig. 6 I have shown a frame in which the cornerpieces B are entirely omitted and the side pieces, A which meet wit-hmitered ends, carry the engaging lugs T by which they are held together.Here obviously it is absolutely necessary that the lugs lie on each sideof the mitered meeting edges to receive the binding cord by which theyare held closely together. This form is particularly adapted for stocksizes. But they may be made in any desired lengths and cut to size ifthe lugs T be formed at close intervals along the length thereof asindicated in dotted lines.

Other modifications will readily suggest themselves.

I claim as my invention l. A picture frame of the character describedhaving frame members embracing the edges and both front and rear facesof the picture, in combination with tongues at each corner projectingout from the rear face of said. members and lying on each side of a linebisecting the angle subtended between said sides, and adapted to receivea binder whereby said members may be drawn into close engagement withthe edges of the picture, substantially as described.

2. A picture frame of the character described, comprising independentframe members adapted to receive the edges of a pic- 20 ture, engagingmeans carried by said members and a cord uniting said engaging means andserving to hold said frame members firmly upon said picture, togetherwith a suspension cord attached to said binding 25 PAUL BRADNERLITTLEHALE.

Witnesses:

VVILLIAM ABBE, L. H. GRoTE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. C.

